Hemlock Printers enhances their award-winning carbon neutral printing program

VANCOUVER, Jan. 15, 2014 /CNW/ - Hemlock Printers, in partnership with Offsetters Climate Solutions, has launched two new offset portfolios for Zero, Hemlock's carbon neutral printing program, allowing their clients to support national and international climate offset projects.

Originally launched in 2009, Hemlock's Zero program has served 278 clients throughout North America, with more than 16 million pieces printed in four years. As a result, more than 4,000 tonnes of CO₂ emissions have been offset to date - the equivalent of taking 833 cars off the road for one year.

"We first started working with Hemlock Printers in 2008 with a simple offset purchase. Since then, our relationship has evolved into an innovative partnership, growing Hemlock's business while tackling climate change," says Jeff Calvert, CFO and vice president, marketing for Offsetters Climate Solutions. "By building on Zero with these new offset portfolios, Hemlock has once again demonstrated why they are North America's most environmentally progressive and client-focused printer."

The Canadian Offset Portfolio includes the Great Bear Rainforest Carbon Project, which is an Improved Forest Management project that generates emissions reductions by protecting forest areas that were previously designated, sanctioned or approved for commercial logging; and the Nanaimo Landfill Gas Capture and Flare project, where carbon offset funds have enabled the Regional District of Nanaimo to reduce emissions of methane from its landfill by capturing and flaring the landfill gas that is normally produced.

The International Offset Portfolio is comprised of the Mai Ndombe REDD+ project in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, helping to protect 300,000 hectares of tropical rainforest from complete loss of forest cover; increased distribution of efficient wood burning cook stoves in Uganda to households and institutions; and Lee Country Waste to Energy Facility in Florida, which uses a combustion process that eliminates 100 per cent of the potential of municipal solid waste to generate methane.

"The enhancement to our Zero program through the addition of these new portfolios allows us to further emphasize the benefits of this program for our clients," says Richard Kouwenhoven, president and general manager of Hemlock Printers. "By working with Offsetters, we have been able to identify a fantastic group of portfolios for our clients to choose from."

As part its overall sustainability program, Hemlock also made a commitment to reduce its own operational emissions by 33 per cent by 2020, and conducts an annual waste audit to ensure they are continuing to divert over 90 per cent of non paper solids and 100 per cent of paper waste from the landfill.  Hemlock has also won numerous local and international awards for its commitment to sustainability in the process. For more information on Hemlock's Zero program, people may visit www.hemlock.com/sustainability.

About Offsetters Climate Solutions
Offsetters is North America's leading carbon management solutions provider. Founded in 2005, the company helps organizations and individuals understand, reduce, and offset their climate impact. Offsetters was the first official supplier of carbon offsets in the history of the Olympic movement (Vancouver 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games). Its team of industry leaders specializes in the origination, development and commercialization of high-quality carbon offset projects and is proud to also provide clients with a comprehensive offering of sustainability consultancy services. Based in Vancouver, Canada, Offsetters has worked with over 150 of the world's most prestigious organizations including Aimia and lululemon athletica. For more information, please visit www.offsetters.ca.

About Hemlock Printers
Hemlock Printers is one of the largest commercial printers in the Pacific Northwest, and is a professionally managed, privately owned family enterprise that has built its success on service integrity, quality products and a commitment to continuous innovation. With a production facility in Burnaby, British Columbia that operates 100 per cent carbon neutral, and offices in Victoria, Seattle and San Francisco, Hemlock is consistently recognized as an industry leader in both quality and sustainability. For more information, visit www.hemlock.com.

SOURCE: Offsetters Climate Solutions